Dog attacks 4-yr-old girl

Last updated: 14 March, 2010

Bangalore, Mar 13, DHNS:

Six more bitten, irate mob kills canine

March 13 would remain etched in four-year-old Geeta’s memory for the rest of her life. For, she survived a vicious attack by a suspected rabid dog, but not before spending some excruciating moments at the jaws of death.

Geeta and her friend Ramya were playing at a BBMP-maintained park opposite Skyline Apartment in Chandra Layout on Saturday when the dog attacked the two girls at about 7 pm.

Ramya was lucky enough to escape with minor injuries. But Geeta was bitten on her cheeks, lips and ears. Eye-witnesses said nearly 40 people tried to rescue the girl. They finally killed the animal.

Geeta and Ramya were taken to a doctor, who gave them first aid and referred Geeta to Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). Geeta’s condition is reported to be stable. Eye-witnesses said the dog also attacked five more people.

Angry residents lodged a complaint with the Chandra Layout police. They alleged that the stray dog menace had increased in the area and people were being attacked frequently.

The incident has laid bare the claims of the canine sterilisation programme of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). In the last ten years, the BBMP has spent Rs 10 crore to control the dog menace but the City still has a population of at least two lakh stray dogs.